The limited-production Volkswagen R32 will be one of the cars with a lot of appeal for the sport-compact market, but it won’t be easy to get. And according to WardsAuto, its price tag will be more than twice that of the $15,000 base-model Rabbit hatchback and will have exotic-car performance.
The previous generation of the R32 was introduced in the United States back in 2004 and quickly sold out with an allotment of only 5,000 units. The 2008 model will also be allotted only 5,000 units, and VW has already pre-sold 1,000. It will be about $10,000 more than the GTI and unfortunately, will not be nearly as fast as its competitors—such as the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution—in the price range. Ward’s calls it a rare but affordable exotic.
It will be powered by a 250-hp, 3.2L narrow-angle V6 that will produce 236 lb.-ft. of torque and will have a 0-to-62 mph acceleration of 6.4 seconds. Ward’s also emphasizes the R32’s exhaust sounds, which pick up where the previous R32 left off. Even if it’s not as fast as its closest competitors, Ward’s says that in terms of refinement, driving comfort and overall practicality, the R32 is miles ahead of its peers.
The R32 will be equipped with a multilink suspension in the rear along with McPherson struts and anti-roll bar up front. The standard 4Motion all-wheel-drive system can transfer up to 75% of the torque to the rear wheels.
Source: Winter, Drew. (June 27, 2007). “Volkswagen’s Affordable Exotic.” WardsAuto. Retrieved July 5, 2007, from www.wardsauto.com.